$150 For THREE Ratchets

[ihateminimumwage]

How can I find locking flex gear wrench 120 set????? I've been wanting tgat! Didn't know they make it

They don't. The locking flex are still the 84T design (same as Armstrong and Matco 60/88T). The 120 models are a completely different animal.

Gearwrench numbers:
81015: 1/4" Drive Locking Flex Head, Full Polish 7"
81016: 1/4" Drive Locking Flex Head, Cushion Grip 8-1/4"
81266: 3/8" Drive, Locking Flex Head, Full Polish 11-1/2"
81267: 3/8" Drive, Locking Flex Head, Cushion Grip 13-1/2"
81362: 1/2" Drive, Locking Flex Head, Full Polish 17"
81363: 1/2" Drive, Locking Flex Head, Full Polish 24"

81276: 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" Full Polish - 3 piece set (81015, 81266, 81362)
81275: 1/4", 3/8" Cushion Grip - 2 piece set (81016, 81267)
81274: 1/4", 3/8" Full Polish - 2 piece set (81015, 81266)

 

[alpaca]

armstrong locking flex for 1/4 and 3/8 and a HF flex for 1/2

 

[techenthusiast]

They don't. The locking flex are still the 84T design (same as Armstrong and Matco 60/88T). The 120 models are a completely different animal.

Gearwrench numbers:
81015: 1/4" Drive Locking Flex Head, Full Polish 7"
81016: 1/4" Drive Locking Flex Head, Cushion Grip 8-1/4"
81266: 3/8" Drive, Locking Flex Head, Full Polish 11-1/2"
81267: 3/8" Drive, Locking Flex Head, Cushion Grip 13-1/2"
81362: 1/2" Drive, Locking Flex Head, Full Polish 17"
81363: 1/2" Drive, Locking Flex Head, Full Polish 24"

81276: 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" Full Polish - 3 piece set (81015, 81266, 81362)
81275: 1/4", 3/8" Cushion Grip - 2 piece set (81016, 81267)
81274: 1/4", 3/8" Full Polish - 2 piece set (81015, 81266)

What's better the 120 or 84?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

To the OP; It would all depend on personal preference. I would absolutely recommend Flex ratchets over standard. I never saw any real need for them, until I bought some and now they are my go to easily 90% of the time.

Through Tooltopia
Gearwrench 88 Tooth 3pc Ratchet Set KDT81206F $67.69 shipped
Gearwrench 88 Tooth Locking Flex 3pc set KDT81276 $113.99 shipped

Williams USA ratchets use Snap-On's 36 tooth mechanism, and are extremely nice.
From Toolsdelivered (about the same through Amazon with free shipping):
Williams 1/4 Ratchet M-52EHA - $17.51
Williams 3/8 Ratchet B-52EHA - $23.43
Williams 1/2 Ratchet S-52EHA - $35.17
$76.11 + shipping

Williams 1/4 Flex Ratchet M-52EHFA - $23.69
Williams 3/8 Flex Ratchet B-52EHFA - $37.17
Williams 1/2 Flex Ratchet S-52EHFA - $47.78
$108.64 + shipping

SK through Harry J Epstein Co.
SK 1/4 Ratchet 40971 - $36.50
SK 3/8 Ratchet 45170 - $37.90
SK 1/2 Ratchet 42470 - $50.00
$124.40 + shipping

While over budget, still a very nice option
SK 1/4 Flex Ratchet 40972 - $40.50
SK 3/8 Flex Ratchet 45183- $51.60
SK 1/2 Flex Ratchet 42472 - $71.90
$164 + shipping

 

[ihateminimumwage]

What's better the 120 or 84?

I haven't had the chance to work with the 120xp ratchets. I got one for free in a promo buy, and while it was very nice, I sold it due to just not needing it.

I used 84T Gearwrench flex ratchets exclusively while working for Kenworth. They held up to everything I could throw at them without skipping a tooth. I also liked the idea that if I were to have broken one, I could just grab an 88T rebuild kit from the Matco truck and put it right back to work.

 

[KEH]

1/4 ratchets: I have a number of 1/4 ratchets and used them on some repetitive light duty work recently. !/4 drive ratchets are so small that a high tooth count is not as noticeable as in larger ratchets. A Stahlwille, a Mac, and a Cornwell are all smooth and work well. The Mac is just about a go to ratchet. I also have a Williams M 81 in excellent condition which has 24 clicks so it is classified as coarse tooth, but it works fine. The SO 1/4 with the coarse tooth did the good work that is expected of a SO.

I like pushbutton ratchets. The old Sears pear heads still are nice, but the cream of the crop is the Sears Low Profile. I have one that is US made, is light and smooth, and I can't find anything bad about it.

RHFT ratchets: The SK is tops of that type. The action is extremely smooth. The Wright is almost as smooth. The Craftsman as made by Easco with pushbutton and spinner wheel is so good I can't understand why no maker hasn't taken up production. I also used an old Williams M52 (44 clicks?) which is good. They must have replaced it because it was more expensive to make than others. The Craftsman Professional, while not a RH, is super smooth.

My recommendation to the OP for a 1/4 drive ratchet, considering availiability and past record of use is the SK .

For 3/8 drive: Snap On Dual 80, if it can be had at a reasonable price. If not, SK. If thumb selector reversing is wanted, Craftsman Low profile. For that matter, with a little practice a Cornwell can be reversed by thumb.

!/2 drive: Same as 3/8.

KEH

 

[zkling]

Depends what you typically work on. I very seldom use a 1/2" ratchet, seems like it is either a breaker bar or the impact, thus I would spend the least on that one. A nice 1/4" roto ratchet, med length locking flex 3/8 and possibly a 3/8" in a 1/4" body or a stubby 3/8". The 1/4" roto gets used quite a bit, even with a 3/8" adapter. I find most 3/8" roto ratchets far too long my my liking. I use the roto ratchet like a screwdriver 80% of the time. I've gotten to the point where fine tooth ratchets are a must in 1/4" and 3/8". SK ratchets are exceptionally strong and smooth. My only gripe is the rather sharp knurling. A piece of air hose smacked on solved that though.

I really want to try one of the higher end Armstrong's but can't justify the need ATM.

Agree with the HF is a great value camp, if you want to spend more, I'd go with one of the established USA companies.

 

[M4A1Carbine]

This is where my $150 would go if I were to start over.

Gearwrench 120xp 4 pc flex head set and an Armstrong 3/8

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V5G7LU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/3-8-drive-armstrong-aerospace-ratchet-88-tooth.html

I haven't had a chance to use the 120xps yet but plan on getting this set soon.

If you like a ratchet with a quick release you can get a set of the Craftsman thin profile ratchets for half your budget. The newer ones have 84T and I really like them.

 

[M6erfan]

If you like a ratchet with a quick release you can get a set of the Craftsman thin profile ratchets for half your budget. The newer ones have 84T and I really like them.

Those are good ratchets, I have the 3/8" but mine is older USA version, not sure about the newer ones made in Asia.